2008 Q1 Contest
Off-Camera Flash / Strobe
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1st Place: Stephen Loh from Singapore, SingaporeJudges Comments
This is a good example of a photographer understanding how side/back light would help emphasize the spray from the champagne bottle. Either that or he/she caught a strobe from another photographer off to the right. Either way the result is clear. The spray is very prominent, and the background has been dramatically simplified.
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2nd Place: Genevieve Nisly from Ohio, United StatesJudges Comments
The light is excellent and completely manufactured and not only did the photog nail the light, but the moment and included the other people who are shooting this. True pro here. Just professional all the way...two shooters, set up lights and a video man. Hitting the notes and making flics. Like it. Striking light and shadows with excellent composition and great choice of angle.
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Judges Comments
Clean and simple, yet a wonderfully creative way to share the first dance: dramatic light with terrific composition and moment. The fact that the viewer can see the couple's faces adds even more appeal to the photograph.
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4th Place: Samuel Luna from Estado De Mexico, MexicoJudges Comments
This is a great example of using strobe to simplify the details in an image and to exaggerate a moment. By effectively using the backlight, the photographer only gives us what is necessary. The image is beautiful and simple.
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5th Place: Anne Almasy from Georgia, United StatesJudges Comments
Perfectly composed. From edge to edge of this frame you have managed to cram in every element of this moment. Congrats. It's rare that the photo gods smile down to create such alignment for the decisive moment.
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Judges Comments
This reminds me of The Graduate for some reason. Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross getting ready before Dustin busts in. The colors, the decoration, the similarity between the mother and daughter and the sort of plastic looks on their faces. Very nice. I like it and it makes me think that more wedding photography should be like this, but this picture is almost critical. Or am I reading into it?
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7th Place: Matt Adcock from Quintana Roo, MexicoJudges Comments
Nice way to photograph the couple's sendoff. Created a whimsical scene. Might try a rim light on well-wishers (just a thought, but sometimes a guest is willing to hold a sidelight on a moment's notice. However I realize how difficult these scenes are to capture to begin with).
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8th Place: Benjamin Rusnak from Florida, United StatesJudges Comments
The photographer obviously knew what he/she was looking for here and used a strobe well to get it. If the exterior location wasn't important to the overall image, a faster shutter speed could have been useful to diminish the background and help the rearview mirror to stand out even more.
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Judges Comments
Wonderful the way the strobe outlines the guests and casts shadows across the room. It speaks volumes to the energy of the party in an unexpected way.
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10th Place: Sharon Eliasi from Florida, United StatesJudges Comments
Like the light. Smokey, dusty, fun, dancing, sweat, artificial strobe. Great.
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11th Place: Matt McGraw from North Carolina, United StatesJudges Comments
This is a good example of using off-camera strobe to completely isolate your subject. High power and high shutter speed combine to put this couple in a room by themselves.
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12th Place: Scott Juarez from Northern Texas, United StatesJudges Comments
I love the plaid. This one makes me think of a John Prine song about a young man and woman who never quite connect, but they do here and it's a beautiful shot that works great. Wouldn't change a thing. Excellent and the plaid shirt just makes it.
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13th Place: Stephen Loh from Singapore, SingaporeJudges Comments
I like this angle. This one does not have so much emotion, but the light does work and I like the contrast between the Chuppah and the bouquet
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Judges Comments
Every once in a while the twinkle of including a light adds a bit of extra pizazz, but I'd use it sparingly. In this case, it seemed to complete the composition when combined with body language and expression.
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15th Place: Scott Juarez from Northern Texas, United States -
16th Place: Jake Holt from Central Texas, United States -
17th Place: Anne Almasy from Georgia, United States -
18th Place: Kiva Sutton from Connecticut, United States -
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20th Place: Jenna Walker from Colorado, United States
